Ultrasound Vagus Nerve Stimulation Explained: Jon Hacker on Zenbud & Nervous System Tech - The Beautifully Broken Podcast | Lyssna här

In this episode of the Beautifully Broken Podcast, Freddie Kimmel talks with Jon Hacker, co-founder of Zenbud, about the broken incentive structures inside MedTech and academia — from the unnecessary gatekeeping around credentials and funding, to an insurance system that rewards defensibility over efficacy. Jon shares his personal path from an eleven-year-old fascinated by the nervous system to building a company focused on non-invasive, science-backed nervous system technology, and the two explore what it really means to "meet people where they are" instead of demanding a total lifestyle overhaul.

The conversation then turns to Zenbud itself: how the device uses ultrasound (not electrical stimulation) to support the vagus nerve, the history and research behind vagus nerve stimulation, early tolerability and reaction-time data, and why Jon is skeptical of HRV as a standalone metric. They close out with a candid look at frictionless, daily-life-compatible wellness tech, Zenbud's 90-day guarantee, and where the product is headed next — including future plans for real-time brain activity feedback.

Episode Highlights

00:01 Welcome to the Beautifully Broken Podcast and introduction of Jon Hacker

01:55 What drew Jon into health, wellness, and integrative technology

03:29 Why Jon believes MedTech is broken

06:14 Barriers to innovation in MedTech and academia

09:20 Insurance, reimbursement, and misaligned incentives

12:04 Freddie's perspective on the longevity and health optimization space

14:18 Meeting people where they are and building for real life

20:12 Introduction to Zenbud

23:36 How Zenbud works and why it uses ultrasound

27:00 The history of vagus nerve stimulation

32:58 Early results, tolerability, and reaction time data